The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-16
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Local Option.

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journal:
LIN recent number OF the Church at Work is
m article the subject OF local option, in
which the writer seeks to prove that 'favoring
local option Is opposing temperance" Strange
1t 10 how some people will swim river in order
to drink out Of a canal. Strange it is that pro-
fessed temperance advocates will seek to de-
prive seven-tenths of the people of the benefits
of practical prohibition simply because it can
not be had for the entire people.
A vessel crossing the ocean is wrecked; the
life boats thrown out; passengers are urged
to avail themselves OF the approved means of es-
cape; our fastdops friend steps ND to the rail
and says 1--WE want cushioned state-rcom,
with fnely-upholstered furniture. Is there
room for allF No" says the captain. I'VE
will not 60" says friend. house is burn
ing. Many wish to assist in saving life and
goods. Can all De saved7" asks friend. No
Then let it all burn" yellow fever epidemic
are dying every'where. The grim monster has
almost unrestrained sway and his victims
falling every hand. Our friend, complacent-
ly, says: IF all can't be saved, we will do moth
ing" The Legislature enacts law furnishing
the perpetrators of certain erimes-murder,
theft. arson. perjury. etc Are all these
grimes prevented! No. Are all criminals pun
ishedl No. Then, says our friend. strike down
the laws. or do not punish any criminals, If all
not punished.
Sin is contrary to the divine law. The Chris
tian church seeks TO drive the souls enemy out
of the world, that men may live In peace and
happiness, and enjoy real pleasure. Does the
church entirely succeedY No. Are there very,
very many who are in the broad wayR Yes.
Sha all the church simply because it does
not rescue ALI Would you refuse TO strive to
save soul simply because you could not per-
suade the whole communi to repent2 Would
you neglect to throw rope to one of the wrecked
passengers because you could not rescue alli
A prohibtory Law in Indiana could not be en-
forced The State is too nearly Democratic. A
law rot enforced is worse than law. The most
reliable temperance element is found in the
small towns and with the country people In
Indiana, outside OF the cities, could, under a
local option law, enjoy the blessings OF practical
prohibition. do not know of in-
whisky out. In townships in which
there is Incorporated town, the
civil township would be the arbiter, and it
would not fail to condemn the traffic The viii
famous business would be narrowed down to
places the most densely populated. But this
strange apostle of temperance says that if we
cannot have law en- bracing the entire State,
we shall have no law at all This when it is
known by every one that such law would not
and could not be enforced in the cities. And
knowing this fact, he " aid deprive the best
territory of the State of the benefits of prohibi-
ton, because a law cannot be passed which, if
passed, could not be enforced. The best blood
the life blood of the Nation does not come from
the city. Our friend would be party with the
saloon element in deprivine this best portion of
our country of the blessings of the best tenn
perance legislation, simply because an unen-
forcible law can't be passed
That in very large portion of our State
local-option law could be enforced. and would
be enjoyed is not denied by any. That a pro-
hibitory law would be failure iss admitted by
all. From local option would come a contrast
between counties and localities where LIQUOR was
sold and where it not-the difference in
the amount OF crime. the taxes, expense of
courts, obedience to law. the peace and quiet
and the general prosperity of each. All these
and other questions would be discussed and
from it a temperance sentiment would inevita-
bly, take hold Of the places Heretofore cursed
with the traffic. The good fruits of the absence
beget bitter hatred to the business and it's
Punishment would be eternal.
An unaducated revolution, that is, a revolu-
ton where the people not prepared to aus
tain it. is not only injurious. but absolutely
dangerous. A law that is 'tdead letter. is
worse than no law. This contrast between tenn
perance localities and places where liquor is
sold would be an unerring educator, and the
good fruits would spring forth as sure as fruit
age follows spring time. IL Indiana local option
will result in a long stride toward the prize we
SO much desire.
With this foolish demand by few extremists
for stringent laws that cannot be enforced we
not only do not advance, but, in truth retro
vered itself, body and SOUL to the LIQUOR
League The two political parties are just
about evenly divided From these and other
admitted facts, it is certain that a prohibitory
Jaw would be hunlbug and farce. Why is it
that temperance men will argue in favor of a
farce7 Why do not temperance men stand to-
gether and enact q law that is absolutely bless
Ingl ISAAC H. PHAREs.
FOWLER, Ind, May Ia.